Upper class

Since I had been watched the video about experience of a northern working class girl become an urban upper class girl. I found many surprising things. From every country of upper classes have many similarities. Such as, parties, clothing, conversation and manners and so on. However, Britain and China’s upper class have many different points.

Firstly, the party manifested in different ways. Especially there is a different in dinner. Due to cultural is differences that main way is chat each other on dinner in China. Secondly, when I saw the girl was learning pronunciation and manners, I felt very surprised. So many rules complicated make people feel confused. However, these rules for the upper class is very important.

Sport in China

In China, table tennis and badminton are the most popular sports. Due to table tennis and badminton do not need a big space and a lot of people to enjoy the game. Moreover, they are more likely to be widely used by people. Also there are very simple fitness programs. I like play badminton very much, which is a very interesting exercise. In addition, table tennis and badminton are popular sport in China that everywhere is the famous venue. They are two player games, which two sides hit ball each other who did not hit the ball or the ball was blocked off by the middle of the net will fails the game. As we well-known table tennis players have Yaping Deng and Liqin Wang. Table tennis and badminton is our favorite sport. Both men and women like to watch it.

Reference

Martin (2009) Rules of Table Tennis, Available at: http://www.allabouttabletennis.com/rules-of-table-tennis.html (Accessed 2009).

Those questions ask for Jason (UK student visa system)

How do student abroad to UK?
What is Theresa May' main point about the old system?
When and how do the new system will change?
What is the 'post study work route' mean?
What is the purpose about new visa student system?

Those questions come from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upVZrBtziGU. Please watching the video and answer those questions carefully.

Compare the punishment

In China, it has a death penalty as a punishment for many crimes that including murder and terrorism. However, I think the death penalty should not exist. Even so, it only punish for the individual criminals and offenders have other causes of death. In addition, there are good results better than death penalty that is attention to the education of offenders, or exiled criminals to hard work.

Smoking cannabis could be prohibited. It is like heroin that is negative to society and personal health. smoking cannabis should be a criminal offense. Either smokers or sellers who are have to responsible for their actions. Overall, it only through more severe punishment to discourage to smoke cannabis.

Tax evasion and social security fraud. There are both serious problems in my country. However, in my opinion, the social security fraud problem is more serious on the community. They still have many illiteracies and literacies in China. There is severe shortage of their knowledge. Moreover, fraudsters made use of their shortcomings to cheat their money. And this phenomenon is widespread in China.




Reference:
BBC (2010) China may drop death penalty for economic crimes, Available at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11055235 (Accessed 23 August 2010). 
Wikipedia (2011) Aspects of Cannabis production and use, Available at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabis (Accessed 1 June 2011). 

Compare British and Chinese Welfare

 Official retirement age is different between different countries. According to Henry (2009)‘At the moment men can claim their pension when they are 65, while women can claim at 60’. In China, men official retirement age is 60 and women official retirement age is 55.

Social workers is very popular in my country. Such as, The Red Cross Society of China and Chinese hope Project. This mainly depend on the public to donate. In addition, the government has given a lot of benefits to the public. For example, each family has housing benefits when to buy a house, a part of income had been deducted to use to buy health insurance and social security, worker will have annual leave each year and so on.

Reference

Henry, R. (2009) UK retirement age could rise to 70. Available at:        http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article6788425.ece (Accessed: 8 August 2009).

Compare the Media-British Newspapers

I have read three newspaper in library on 13 May 2011, The Times, Financial Times and The Daily Telegraph. They cover headline news are quite different. For example, US races to unravel bin Laden's secrets (Whittell, 2011), Big banks to take hit on capital surcharge (2011) and Alarm over falling standards of A-levels and GCSEs (2011). It can be seen that in different types of newspaper layout the content or point news is also different. The Times, it is likely a world newspaper. It focuses on global news. Financial Times, it focuses on business and police seriousness news. The Daily Telegraph, it focuses on education and entertainment news. However, they have a common news. It just is not on the same page. In addition, due to different types of newspaper occupy the space different too. 

In the comments section, they also are different content. There are many comments on the British performance of politicians and policy implications in The Times. On the other hand, the moments are more on the economy in Financial Times. 

In China, there are many types of newspapers too. However, each province has its own newspaper. Except to few famous newspapers, most of news are not the same. In addition, it particular point is almost all newspapers are not on the political content. Only one newspaper can report the political content the party newspaper. 

Reference:

 Evans, M and Whittell, G (2011) 'US Races To Unravel bin Laden's Secrets', The Times, 13 May, p.1.

 FT (2011) 'Big banks to take hit on capital surcharge', Financial Times, 13 May, p.1.

 Paton, G (2011) 'Alarm over falling standards of A-levels and GCSEs', The Daily Telegraph, 13 May, p.1.

TV

I've seen Channel 4 tonight at 7pm, Channel 4 News. It mainly talks about the related reports of Bin Laden's death and Cameron over health reforms. Most of programmes mainly playing is news, shows, TVs and advertising. However, some of programmes are serious channel. Such as, BBC 1, BBC 2, ITV 1, Channel 4 and Channel 5. They show us the latest News or commentary. On the other hand, some of programmes mainly playing is soap opera and advertising. In addition, the most popular British soap opera is EastEnders. In conclusion, watching TV is a good leisure.

TV is still the mainstay of the media. China's television programmes type is similar to the UK. It mainly takes News, Shows, Films, Opera and advertising. But the main difference is the news exposure rate and realism. At the same time, China's TV shows a kind of half - free state. The news feature is only good news.

Education of China

In China, there is a unique education system that there are Nursery school, Private school, Middle school, High school and University. When children was 3 years old, they could go to Nursery school. They went to Private school from 6 to 12. After  completion of Middle school was already 15 years old. Finally, in 18 year-old they finished all of foundation. However, it has two nationwide exams; High school mark and college entrance examination system which help students select good High school and University.

There are various types of Universities in China which included political, economic, technological, agricultural, educational, artistic and medical… Most of them are Open University. Classification of four grades of universities. Such as, Peking University, Tsinghua University and People’s University. These are famous and first grade universities in China. Of course, students only got a perfect results in the entrance that can to read these good universities. Probably only a few students from each school can enter to the famous universities. A half of students enrolled in general universities. Other students choose career College. However, many of whom were going abroad and looking for job. First choice to study abroad are Australia and USA.

The key environmental features of the Senedd

The Senedd, the Welsh Parliament buildings. Its unique architectural style was perceived and it opened in 7th February 2006. There are several features of its key environmental, funnel, wind cowl and lantern; natural ventilation; earth heat exchanger system; biomass boiler; water and benefits to the economy. This built roof shaped like a funnel. According to the structure, efficient use of the warm flow to keep the building air circulation. This ingenious use of wind design is not only which has a beautiful appearance, but it also subserves the surrounding areas. On the other hand, earth heat exchanger system is a new energy which can through the Earth’s core heat to transfer into energy. Moreover, the same modern technology is biomass boiler. In addition, reuse of rainwater is a significant design. Therefore, the Senedd is a good place.

St. David's Day

Saint David’s Day is in memory of Saint David who was born the end of the fifth century, the patron saint of Wales. So the first of March celebrated as St. David's Day. His father name is Sant. His mother name is Non who was a local chief's daughter. legend, she was the niece of King Arthur. In his early years, he had a teacher, Paulinus who is a blind monk in Hen Fynyw monastery.

On the day, people wear a daffodil or leek and two national emblems of Wales. The welsh traditional national costume is including the black hat, white shirt, red scarf, white skirt and black wool socks and black shoes. There are games to celebrate the festival program. Of course there are food festival. One of the most famous recipe is Welsh cake. In addition, the another popular recipe is the leek. Moreover, you can enjoy a rich roasted whole lamb in the evening.

David Cameron

David Cameron was born on 1966 who was born to an aristocratic family in England that is the British royal family with a pure lineage. He is the political star of the British Conservative Party. In 2001, he became a British House of Lords who only 39 years old became a British Conservative Party leader in 2005. 11th May 2010 he became the first 53 british Prime Minister who is since 1812 the UK's youngest prime minister. About his family, the Cameron family from Inverness in the Scottish Highlands which has a long history in the UK financial sector. His grandfather's grandfather, Sir Cameron was the cloud of Egypt HSBC headquarters in London's chief executive.

Cameron attended the famous Eton primary and secondary schools in the United Kingdom. In May 1983, leaving six weeks to graduation, he was found smoking marijuana. He admitted the error to school. Because he did not sell marijuana, the school did not expel him. After Cameron has been graduating from high school, he passed the Oxford entrance exam and received the University of Oxford, JiNuo Blake college. Oxford University, UK expert on the Constitution and constitutional Bo Dannuo (Vernon Bogdanor) who served as Cameron's teacher. He said 'Cameron is what he taught one of the most capable students,' and that 'his character is "humble and very sensitive conservative."'

Reference:

http://www.davidcameronmp.com/

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article7123350.ece

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1054651/Prime-minister-waiting-David-Cameron-appears-cover-Time-magazine--US-version.html

The UK Parliament

 There are two houses in the British Parliament: the House of Commons and the House of  Lords. The House of Commons was bulit due to people who was voted in to represent theirself areas. The House of Lords was an assembly of hereditary aristocrats and landowners who have more power than the House of Commons. However, since 1900s, over half of Lords members were nominaten that delaying the decisions and debates the House of Commons.

Today, there are 659 constituencies in the United Kingdom: about 500 in England; a lot of constituencies  in Scotland; part of constituencies in Wales; and a few in Northem Ireland.This situation led to some cover a large region where not many people live.On the other hand, population is concentrated in a small area. General election to vote that people vote for a person to be the MP for their constituency. The person who has most of votes wins. In addition, after all the MPs have been elected, the political party that a lot of MPs to form the government and the Prime Minister.

THE EUROPEAN UNION

In 1939-1945, the European Union (EU) was come into existence.This ideal which is strong in economic and political institutions after the Second World War. It was a desire to create a peaceful and prosperous Europe after the destruction of two World Wars and after centuries of antagonism and mutual distrust between the European powers. Until now, EU/EEA member countries account for 40 per cent of world trade.

In the 1950s, Britain did not want to join the European Economic Community (EEA). Because of it believe itself as a commercial power and did not wish to be restricted by European relationships. In addition, Britain is apart from European connections and saw its future in the trading patterns of the Commonwelth and a 'special relationship' with the USA. At the same time, the French President vetoed when Britain attempts to join the EEC. Due to the French President criticized Britain's relationship with the USA, queried the extent of British commitment to Europe. After further negotiations, the provisions of the things that holding of a referendum in 1975, the first in British political history. the pro-marketeers won by a margin of 2 to 1 (67.2 per cent in favour 32.85 per cent against). However, there are now 25 EU menbers with a total population of 450 million people. Since 1994, most of the European single market measures have also been extended to Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein by creating the European Economic Area (EEA).

It is argued that Parliament is the only directly-elected body in the EU which should have more power to veto EU policy has been relaxed. In 2004 the British European Parliament elecions the Labour Party and the conservative has poor performance. British membership of the EU continues to be difficult. On the one hand, Eurosceptic critics say that the United Kingdom's sovereignty and independence by the EU development and want to be right from the EU back to Britain. On the other hand, leading pro-European supporters hope that economic and political integration (poosibly on federal lines), that allow the Government to streamline the EU industrial and agricultural policies; to European countries, the efficient management and operation of the globalization of foregn policy can not be overcome by small and medium-sized country. A Europhile supporters who like, admire and love of European culture, society and history. Politically, it can be used to imply Pro-Europeanism, or support the European Union. Finally, in recent years, polls showed that most British are against joining the EU

Planning travel to London

My group has three persons. Jason, Jim and me.
The plan to tavels' timetable:

7:30 get up and have a breakfast

8:00 arrived at the Cardiff coach station

9:00 set out to the London

11:45 arrived at the Victoria coach station

12:00 we take the underground to the St.James’s Park by circle line.

Arrived at the St.James’s Park  we can visit the Westminster abbey, Buckingham Palace, parliament house, Big Ben and so on.

15:00 we take the underground to the waterloo by the northern line

Arrived at the waterloo we can visit the London Eye.

16:00 we take the underground to the Leicester Square

In the Leicester Square there have a Chinatown, we can go to there for have a dinner.

16:50 go back to the Victoria coach station and waiting for the coach

17:00 take the coach go back.

20:00 we have finish one day travel

What's a fine weekend! We have a travel that is going to London. We have a funly day, because of  we have a perfect plan.We are set out by coach at 9 o'clock. arriving at the Victoria coach station about 12 o'clock and take the underground to St James's Park. First stop is the Westminster abbey, Buckingham Palace, parliament house and Big Ben.  These building are very famous tourist attraction in British. Visiting before we can learn more about British history and culture. At 15 o'clock, we are going to next stop the London Eye by underground, the romantic and perfect's playground.Although we are boys. But elegant environment and the beautiful night views let us linger.Finaly, we are going to last stop Chinesetown in the Leicester Square that have an Chinese food's dinner at 16 o'clock. At 16.50, we will go back to the Victoria coach station and take the coach go home. In the end,I hope we have a pleasant day in London. If I have a chance I will come back again.

The people of Britain

Do you konw how many nations of Britain? Absolutely, there are four nations of Britain. Wales, England, Scotland and North Ireland. Even there are a different number of nations, Walsh, English, Scottish and Irish. We can call they all of "British". On the other hand, any British people might be offended so we use this word to describe them. Such as, in Chinese used 'Yang Gui Zi'. Because of hundred years ago, the war was happened in Qing royal court. So the Chinese call they and European 'Yang Gui Zi'.

In addition, the four nations has different national symbols. The flag, plant, colour, patron saint and Saint's day are all different. Such as, England's flag is St George's Cross; Wales's flag is Dragon of Cadwallader; Scotland's flag is St Andrew's Cross; and Ireland's flag is St Patrick's Cross.The Salnt's days are 23 April; 1March; 30 November; 17 March.

How many 'British' languages exist, and how many people speak them? check here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_language. More information here.

In the end, a complicated division of loyalties among many people in Britain, and especially in England. It is the third most natively spoken language in the world.Regions of the world who emigrated to the UK. Like Chinese, European, Indian, Pakistani. They are living here to business; finding a job of life. They are also integrated to the UK and Part of the UK.

The British Isles's map

The British Isles rise from a continental shelf, an under water ledge of land extending into the Alantic Ocean from northwestern Europe.

The British Isles is a geographically term which includes two large islands, Great Britain and Ireland, and 5,000 small islands, most notably the Isle of Man which has its own parliament and laws.

United Kingdom - a union of: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland.

Project Britain, British Life or Culture by Mandy Barrow, 2010, [http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/questions/britain/britishisles.htm]